What file type should i use for reading a large file of data?

[Pnt]

I want to store data in a file and access them later. The data file could reach 500 to 1000 MBytes, as a binary file.

I may have memory problems.

I do not need the whole data in memory, only a few data each time, for my calculations.

If i use a binary file, i can not read only a few data. I have to load the whole file and then read the data i need.

Is this correct?

If i use another type of file, can i read only a few bytes without loading the whole file?

Maybe a TDMS file?

[Skydyvr · Accepted solution]

I would probably use a TDMS file for this since it could also be read into excel if it were small enough - just more flexiblility. But you can also do it using binary types. You don't have to read the entire file when using binary files. See below.